Begin to draw and paint

Begin to draw + paint with confidence. Banish your worries or confusion and learn to enjoy your drawing and painting.

Learn how to start drawing and painting with step by step demonstrations (perspective, shading, measuring proportions), practical exercises, and insightful tips and tricks to help you avoid common mistakes. Try-out lots of different drawing and painting materials with clear instructions in how to use them correctly. Get answers to all your burning questions about drawing and painting. You’ll never have to say “I can’t draw” ever again.

Begin to draw + paint is the absolute-beginners guide to essential drawing techniques and guide to art materials.

Sat + Sun

£135

Includes most materials

2019July 20 + 21

BOOK NOW

Course details

This course will leave you excited, knowledgeable and feeling more confident in drawing and painting. You’ll have all your questions answered and go home ready to continue with your drawing and painting with ease.

click the Materials to bring tab.Purchase the Starter Pack or see what you need to bring.

Session 1 (Saturday morning)We will start the day with some free drawing time so you can settle in nice and easily. This will be followed with instruction to ensure you adopt the right approach to drawing along with techniques to help you ‘see’ better – measuring, proportions and how to use guidelines to improve accuracy and observation. We will also go through 2-point perspective so you understand all the underlying principles and how to apply this to your drawings.

Session 2 (Saturday afternoon)After lunch we will put into practice all we have learnt so far about perspective and measuring techniques with more still life drawing. There will be some teaching showing you how to develop shading and tone with lots of 1:1 support to make sure you understand all the fundamentals of drawing.

Session 3 (Sunday morning)Today is all about the creative use of materials and we start the day off experimenting with materials such as willow and compressed charcoal, graphite and chalk pastels. We will complete further still life drawings to give you the chance to play with these materials and again practice all the drawing theory we covered in day 1 – giving you lots of opportunity to ask questions and embed this new knowledge.

Session 4 (Sunday afternoon)After lunch I will take you step by step to show you how to paint in acrylics and water colour paints. This will give you the opportunity to learn fundamental painting skills, brush control, and discover the similarities and differences between the two. There will be loads of tips and tricks to help you understand the materials and the range of equipment you will need and where you can save money by avoiding unnecessary equipment.

I will also simplify the complex world of acrylic mediums and gels, explain what each one is used for, and tell you the crucial ones you really do need to buy – and why you only need 5 out of the dozens available in the art shops.

You’ll leave having completed your very own water colour landscape and more importantly know which are your favourite materials to draw and paint with after you leave the course.

Optional items to bringBaby wipes (hand cleansing tissues)Rag (old cloth) for smudging charcoal or paint when drawingWear old clothes or bring an apronPen and notebook for taking notes during the course

Brian has a background as a fine artist, community artist and adult tutor. Brian is passionate about teaching and enthuses his students with excitement for creativity and making art. His teaching style is supportive, relaxed and friendly, yet focused on ensuring everyone is able to progress to their potential. He is Lead tutor at Creative Art Courses.

Hi Brian, I would love to attend your Begin to Draw + Paint course in July but I see you’re fully booked. Will you be running the course again? Also, are there any other courses in July and August which have availability? Thank you.

HI Belinda
The next absolute-beginners course will be in September. However if you are not an absolute-beginner have a look at the 2 introduction courses we offer. One for Creative drawing and the other for acrylic painting. Both are suitable for beginners.
Kind regards
Brian

Hi April.
Thanks for getting in touch. I have put you down on the list and will notify you when dates are available for the next course – probably in early April. Booking will probably be open in May, once I have done my planning for the Autumn. Best regards, Brian

Hi Brian, please can you put me down on the waiting list for this course. It’s a Christmas present for my wife and she has no prior art experience at all so it looks perfect! If you don’t have any places left on these courses (Feb/April) can you please give me an idea as to when the next session will run? Many thanks, Ed

Hi Ed
Many thanks for your interest in this course. I have added you to the waiting list. I will be planning future dates shortly and will let you know when they are available for booking. It will probably be after Easter. Hope this helps. Best regards, Brian

Hi Samantha
Thank you for your interest in this course. I have put you on the waiting list. Please be aware that this course is aimed at absolute-beginners, so if you have done some drawing or painting in the past and have used some art materials have a look at the Creative drawing: introduction and Acrylic painting: introduction courses as these may be right for you as well. Hope this helps. Best regards, Brian

Hi I am a complete beginner in drawing and painting but keen to start. Would you be kind enough to keep me on the waiting list for the begin to paint and draw weekend course as the two available are now fully booked. Thanks

HI Mike
After the April course, there is a Begin to draw + paint course planned on the 21 – 22 May 2018. Booking for this course will probably become available in Feb or March so please keep an eye on the website. I hope this helps. Best regards, Brian. If you are buying this as a present may I suggest you print the leaflet on the ‘gift’ page to show her for the moment and then book next year once the website has been updated.

Hey I’m really interested to take part in lesson 10-11 february.Yesterday was 1 space left I booked off from work but now is fully booked Any chance I can book class please? this is my christmas present please

Hi Marcin
So sorry to hear that – unfortunately all 10 places have been booked. I will keep your name at the top of the waiting list and will email you should anyone be unable to attend. Have you looked at any of the other weekend courses as, unless you are a complete beginner – some of the other courses may also be right for you to attend. Please feel free to email me direct if you have any more questions. Kind regards, Brian

Hi I am interested in doing the begin to draw and paint class, but it is fully booked. Please can you put me on your waiting list and send me details of the next set of course dates when available. thanks

Hi Frances
I have just added the ‘Gift’ page onto the website (see the top menu) where you will find a leaflet you can download and print to give to your husband. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions please email me at brian@creativeartcourses.org. Have a wonderful Christmas and I hope he is happy with the gift. Bx

HI Asha
There is parking available on a first come first served basis in the Mill car park, although it can get full at times. There is also parking available on the road outside. Hope this helps. Best regards, Brian

Hi. Would you mind joining the ‘waiting List’ by clicking on the red box on the course page and completing the simple form. I will then be able to email you when the booking opens for the Autumn/Winter courses. Hope this helps. Thank you, Brian

Thanks for your email. The next course will be 23 – 24 April 2016. All my weekend courses cost £115 and includes most materials other than a starter pack of sketchbook, pencils and rubbers. Regards, Bx

Hi I am really keen to do this course as I’m a complete beginner to art but can’t make the October dates, are you planning on holding this course again? Failing that are there any other similar courses which would be suitable- I’m particularly interested in learning how to paint. Thanks!

Hi Abi
Most of my courses run twice a year so I will be teaching this course again in before Easter 2016. Have a look at the Paint with Texture course (10-11 October) if you are in the mood to do something creative, as this will give you the opportunity to have lots of fun with acrylic paints and mixed media. But read the course descriptions carefully as I have tried to explain clearly what each course is about. Message me again if you have any more questions.
Regards